By Sean Ryan - 11 April, 2016
The Newbridge Parish Novena commences today Monday 11 April and an impressive line-up of speakers will address the theme of mercy over nine weeks.
The Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin will open the Novena tonight and will preach a homily on ‘Lord, Have Mercy’, in keeping with the Novena’s theme.
The other eight speakers are: Kate Liffey, Paul Moran, Bro Richard Hendrick, Fr Paddy Byrne, Amalee Meehan, John McAreavey, Sr Mary Lawlor and Fr John Harris OP.
Mum of three, Kate Liffey, is National Director for Catechetics and Coordinator of the National Faith Development Team in Maynooth.
Paul Moran will share his very moving experience of grief and loss and will tell how an experience in Lourdes gave him back his life and gave him the courage to record a CD of beautiful Lourdes-related hymns and songs.
Bro Richard Hendrick is a Capuchin Franciscan who works with young people and is part of the team at the Sanctuary in Dublin with Sr Stanislaus Kennedy.
Portlaoise-based priest Fr Paddy Byrne is a regular speaker at novenas around the country.
Fr John Harris is a Dominican who is regularly with the community in Newbridge.
Sr Mary Lawlor will share her testimony about ministering to the sick.
John McAreavey will share his story of how his faith helped him cope with the loss of his wife Michaela in such tragic circumstances while they were on honeymoon.
Amalee Meehan will share ‘The Message of Mercy’ as she draws from her recently published book of the same name. Amalee is involved in Catholic education with CEIST and is a lecturer in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.
Commenting on the Newbridge parish website, parish priest Fr Paul Dempsey said, “We are grateful to have such a rich and diverse range of speakers for this year’s novena who we are sure will leave us all with nourishment for our own faith journeys.”
“All are welcome to the Novena and we also look forward to welcoming some of the parish choirs as well as our parish cantors as part of our celebrations this year.”
The Newbridge Parish Novena will run for nine consecutive Monday nights until 6 June.
